Semaphore-blade



No. 6I9,472. Patented Feb. I4, |899. E. E. Fono.

SEMAPHRE BLADE.

Application filed am. 4. w99..

{Nn Model.)

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UNITED STATES Fries.

` ArnN'r ELIOT E. FORD, -OF RAHVAY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO HENRY JOHNSON, OF ARLINGTON, NEIV JERSEY.

SEMAPHORE-BLADE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 619,472, dated February 14, 1899.

Application filed January 4, 1899. Serial No. 701,136. (No model.)

To (LZ/f whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ELIOT E. FORD, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Rahway, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Semaphore-Blades, of which the following is a specification.

.My invention relates to an improvement in semaphore-blades, in which provision is made i for the yielding of the blade in any direction when accidentally struck by a passing obj ect. My invention is more particularly adapted to use in connection with what is known in the art as dwarf signals, which are low signaling-blades between tracks where there are several crossing or branching tracks, but may be utilized in connection with any of the signals in which a semaphore-blade is employed. A practical elnbodiment of myinvention is represented in the accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure l represents a side view of the semaphore-blade and its adjacent parts, the semaphore-blade being represented in full lines in its normal position and in dotted lines in positions above and below its normal position. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same, the semaphore-blade being shown in full lines in its normal position and in dotted lines in i positions upon both sides of its normal position. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view through the spring which connects the semaphore-blade with the counterbalancearm, showing clearly the method of attaching the ends of the spring to the semaphore-blade and to the said arm. Fig. 4 is a View of the semaphore-blade and its adjacent parts in side elevation, showing a modified form of yielding connection between the blade and i semaphore-arm 5 and Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the same.

The semaphore-blade is denoted by A and the counterbalance-arm by B. The semaphore-blade has a yielding connection with the counterbalance-arm, so that the blade may yield from its normal position relative to the arm in any direction. In the form shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3, respectively, this yielding connection consists of a coil-spring O, having one end removably secured within a socket d of a bracket D, to which the semaphore-blade A is rigidly secured, and its other end removably engaged with a socket b in a branch b of the counterbalance-arm B. The end of the spring O, which is located within the socket Z9, is clamped within the socket by means of a suitable clamping-screw b2, which impinges against the exterior of the spring, and the end of the spring, which is located within the socket d is clamped securely in position by means of a clamping-screw d', which similarly engages the exterior of the said spring'.

Cylindrical plugs E E' are preferably inserted within the ends of the spring O at the points where they enter the sockets d and b, so that when the clamping-screws d and b2 are tightened the coils at the ends of the spring are prevented from buckling or spreading.

In the form shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3, respectively, 'the connecting-spring is shown as being disposed vertically, while in the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the said springis shown as being disposed horizontally, with its inner end clamped in the socket on the counterbalance-arm and its outer end clamped in the socket carried by the semaphore-blade bracket. By means of this yielding connection between the semaphore-blade and counterbalance-arm the blade is permitted a universal yielding movement in any direction' and the liability of the blade being broken by being struck by a passing object is' en: i'irely obviated.

While AI have shown two forms of yielding connection between the semaphore-blade and counterbalance -arm in the accompanying drawings, it is evident that a great many different forms might be used without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Hence I do not wish to limit myself strictly tothe structures herein set forth; but

What I claim is- 1. In combination a suitable support, a semaphore-blade and a yielding connection between the blade and support whereby the blade is permitted to yield from its normal position in any direction, substantially as set forth.

2. In combination a counterbalance-arm, a semaphore-blade, a spring connecting the said arm and blade vwhereby the blade is per-A IOO mitted to yield from its normal position in any direction, substantially as set forth.

3. In combination a' counterbalance-arm, a semaphore-blade, a coil-spring connecting the said arm and blade whereby the blade is permitted to yield in any direction, substantially as set forth.

4. In combination a counterbalanee-arm having a socket, a semaphore-blade having a socket, a coil-spring having its ends located within the said sockets and means for clamping the said ends Within their respective sockets, substantially as set forth.

5. In combination a eounterbalance-arm having a socket, a semaphore-blade having a ELIOT E. FORD.

Witnesses FREDK. HAYNEs, EDWARD VIESER. 

